Parent dyadic coping and parent-child relationship quality in families of autistic children

Within two-parent households, the extent to which parents are satisfied in their couple relationship is theorized to influence the parent-child relationship. Parents in a satisfying couple relationship are thought to be better able to jointly manage and cope with everyday child-related problems and stressors than parents dissatisfied with their couple relationship. The current study conducted a within-couple cross-sectional examination of the associations between couple relationship satisfaction (actor and partner), parent-child relationship quality, and dyadic coping. Data was obtained on 186 families of autistic children aged 5–12 years. An actor-partner mediation interdependence model (APIMeM) was conducted, yielding a significant actor association between the level of couple relationship satisfaction and parent-child relationship, which was mediated by positive dyadic coping. In addition, mothers’ level of couple relationship satisfaction was correlated with father-child relationship quality, and this association was also mediated by positive dyadic coping. Our findings can inform programs to strengthen parent-child relationship quality in families with an autistic child. • Relationship quality of parents of autistic children can impact their parent-child relationship quality. • How parents manage stress together (e.g., dyadic coping) relates to parenting and influences family relationships. • Positive dyadic coping significantly predicted each parent’s own parent-child relationship quality. • Mothers’ relationship satisfaction predicted fathers’ parent-child relationship quality through fathers’ positive dyadic coping.